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Showing posts with label Chatter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chatter. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Another Beautiful Roadtrip

The scenery on my drive was breath taking....here are some pix :)
Then of course I arrive and the scenery gets even better....LOL :)
My dear friend, Mary Jane, receiving a quilt from our Tuesday sewing group.  She starts chemo therapy on Monday so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers....she will definitely be in mine.

I loved every minute of my visit...even though I could not stay as long as I would liked.  Visiting with my amazing girlfriends from PA always brings joy to my heart.  While in Wellsboro, I stopped in at Needles Quilt Shop and learned they are having a SALE....so if you are in the area, do stop in and get yourself some beautiful fabrics.

Guess who else I got to see?  Someone many of you are familiar with....Susan from Hanging On by Needle and Thread blog.  What a treat that was! If she ever says her sewing room is a mess....don't believe her....it was beautiful :)  My phone was not charged otherwise I'd have taken a photo as proof!

Leaving PA is always the hardest for me....for so many reasons....I love North Central PA and I hope one day we can retire and live there.   As I drove away from MJ's house, I was thinking about her and her husband.....knowing next week starts chemo therapy.  She has the best attitude of anyone I've ever met and I'm so proud to be able to call her my friend.  Looking into the distance...this is what I saw:
In this photo it is faint....there is definitely a rainbow there and it made me smile instead of cry.  What a blessing.
The sunset last evening from I80 heading West.....so many gifts we receive.

If you have not yet entered to win the Hoffman Fabrics, CLICK HERE and enter.

Smiles,
Kelly



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

It's Snowing...just like when I was a Kid :)

The beautiful white snow feels like a return to my childhood when school was closed and we could barely open the front door because the snow had drifted to over 2 feet.   The memories of being a child include "real snow" where it would literally be over 24 inches and we dressed in multiple layers and used Wonder Bread plastic bags (the ones with the colorful dots on them) as lining over our 2 or 3 pair of socks to make it easier to slide on our boots.  We headed out to play and shovel show.  Mainly just play until we were somewhere around 11 and then snow brought with it the opportunity to make money by shoveling other people's sidewalks. 
School has been canceled today (we're up to 5 1/2 days of weather related absences this winter) and we have been enjoying it from the windows thus far. 
An ordinary passerby might think nothing of this cave at the end of our driveway....but to this Momma, that is the sign of two very hardworking and happy boys :)  The co-workers have tunneled through the big pile of accumulated snow and ice to make their own tunnel.  I loved the ice sickles that have formed on the roof of their cave.

Between going to Physical Therapy and keeping up with the snow and ice I haven't found much time to sew.  I've been using my embroidery machine to make labels for some quilts that are finished.
 This is one I made yesterday and then cut through the fabric while trimming the stabilizer.  You can guess there will be a duplicate in my near future.

I was given a bird feeder and a bird seed wreath for Christmas and I took them out front earlier this week and hung them in the trees.  Oh the birds that have visited...


The bird house was covered in seed when it was hung...they didn't last long that's for sure!  It is now a naked house...giggles.
Rick filled the bird fountain with seed so they would not have to fight for the seeds.   Snow and birds...a wee bit of stitching...that's what I've been up to this past week.

Three days from now it will be the Festival of  Broken Needles aka Hari-kuyo.  For the past 4 years I have wanted to acknowledge this Festival but my planning and execution skills were not aligned.  This year is different!!!  My understanding of Hari-kuyo is taking the time to show gratitude for old and broken needles.  Sort of a Thanksgiving for our stitching needles.  Very cool indeed and I plan on having a little ceremony here. 

I've saved all of my broken sewing and hand stitching needles in a medicine bottle for several years  and I also saved all the needles I received in the IHAN Needle Exchange Program a  few years back.  This will be the first time I will officially celebrated "Hari-kuyo" and  I was thinking of a funeral of sorts to lay those wonderful needles to rest.  I'll post more on the 8th.

Back to the snow....
Smiles,
Kelly







Saturday, February 1, 2014

Dreary Saturday Outside Today

We've had snow and now rain...and boy is it slushy outside today.  No worries for me however...I'm inside :)

Doing what you ask?

Well...after I've sorted tons of paper on my kitchen table, I've arranged play dates for both co-workers and now I'm headed to the sewing sanctuary to make some quilt labels on my embroidery machine. 

Guess who flew back home this week....my Power Suit Piece (above) arrived back home safe and sound.  That is one well traveled bird I have to say.  So glad I participated because it challenged me to do things I would not have otherwise done.  I'd love to hear about some of your challenges that you've participated in....share away :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Fudge Factoring - It Happens

I know I'm not alone when it comes to "fudging" when something doesn't quite go as well as planned. 
 Take for example the fraying on this tiny border I was working on over the weekend.  I wasn't going to risk further fraying when the 1/4in seam went into this tiny border.  Have you ever had that happen?  Finish a project only to notice that there was fraying and now the seam doesn't hold?  I have no more of this fabric either...so it was time for the ole "fudge factor."
I was pressing when I noticed the fraying and on my pressing board I had a roll of Batting Seam Tape so I thought...I'll just cut a thin strip and fuse it on the edge and that will hold the seam and prevent further fraying.  The Batting Seam Tape is soft and easy to stitch through and I have my fingers crossed that I don't have any further problems.  What would you have done?  Any great secrets floating around out there? 

Life has been a bit crazy lately with my co-workers going back to school last week. 
Where has the time gone?  Just yesterday Aaron was starting Kindergarten and I was driving behind the bus crying all the way to their school.  Are you wondering if I still cry?  Honestly...I just mist up a bit...I guess it is what a Mother does ay?

Warning...what is written below may be controversial....but to me it is plain common sense.

Speaking of "Fudge Factor"....something is smelly with this Fudge or so it seems.  
On another subject all together, we spent the weekend working out tails off and I had an entire van load of things to take to the Goodwill for donation.  I always feel good about donating to Goodwill because of their great programs. 

Then....
As I was driving away from Goodwill I saw a huge blue dumpster, the type that is used on construction sites.  It was overflowing and I could not believe my eyes.  I hopped out of my van and took these photos....any idea what you are looking at?

Some of us would call it "donations" made with the thought that the items will go to good use and the money being made would help someone in need.  Others may call it TRASH.  Yep....the dumpster was overflowing and the items I could see from the top were perfectly good...a great majority anyway.  I saw record albums, movies, tools, dishes, clothing, radios, baskets, decorations....I felt ill.  Literally ILL.  Yes, I will write to the Goodwill and let them know but I'm guessing they already know.  I went inside and asked a worker there why that was the case and he said that is what happens when they have too much.  What is too much I asked myself?  Too much for the building....to sort....for the shelves?  How about a huge lot sold by auction and any amount of money would be useful to the Goodwill....not paying a garbage company to haul away our donations. 
I don't write this to single out the Goodwill.  I see this type of thing weekly in my comings and goings.  People have no qualms about filling our landfills with perfectly good items because they don't want to take the time or energy to do what I think is, "the right thing."  I put quotation marks around that because these are my thoughts and I've not done much research into the entire process of re-purposing....I just know my conscious and I can't do it. 

I stopped and got out of my van one day by a grocery store.  I watched as the workers unloaded 5 or 6 entire grocery carts of food into a dumpster.  I began taking photos and they got very upset and approached me.  I told them I just could not believe my eyes....and YES, I know the food is expired.  I then told them that since they are aware it is expired then they know perfectly well when the food will expire and they can either donate it or reduce the price 3 or 4 days in advance to save the enormous waste.  I was told they were just doing their jobs.

OK...I'm getting off my soap box for the moment....please forgive me....sometimes I just have to "say something" and today was one of those days.

Know I appreciate other people's opinions, experiences and the people themselves.  I also am very glad the Goodwill does what they do...most of it anyway.

Smiling at the relief that I've said something!

Kelly

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Feels Like It's Been Years!

Can't believe it has been so long since I wrote a blog post.  I'm slowly returning to myself after the passing of my mother.  We just had her "Celebration of Life" gathering this past Saturday.  Trying to get everything in order for that has kept me more than occupied. 
 This was one of the photos used for the announcement for her gathering.....I just love this photo. 

It has been a few months since I took this next photo, but I am still tickled by these girls so I wanted to share my post and a link to their website.

Kathy and Bonnie from KPea Original

These gals were at Checker Distributor picking up some fun fabrics when I saw them.  Naturally I asked to take their photograph.  Check out their tops, they have designed and made their own tops.   How smart is that?  What a perfect way to use some of those "oh so fun" prints out there on the market.   

Today I went looking for their website and noticed it says they are on vacation until July 1.  Kids Fly Too is a website that carries a handmade line by KPea Original if you want to check out other things they have.

I'm hoping to have the energy to do some blog hopping and catching up.  Have you seen anything out there in blogland that you think I missed?  Please leave a comment and let me know about it.....I'm so far behind.

Smiles,
Kelly

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A Few Quilts and Life Recently

I'll start with "Life" and the going's on around here and throw a few quilts in as "Life" unfolds :)

 On May 19th my younger brother, Mathew, graduated from Law School.  This in and of itself is a huge accomplishment....but during the boring commencement speech (I was tempted to stand up and scream "Time Out....you are boring and we want to see our family members get their diplomas now"....but I didn't.) I sat thinking about his life.  He has served in the Army, gotten a bachelor degree in plastic engineering, a masters degree in business and now a law degree.  It sounds like he has spent his life studying but no.....he has traveled the world and had two children as well....my little brother is one amazing dude and it sort of just dawned on me....LOL!
 
 Speaking of amazing dudes.....my oldest co-worker shot 5 bulls-eyes on the BB gun range.  We were only given 5 BB's....I was lucky to hit the paper one time.

A week or so ago, we had another cub scout event.  Our very first car race at the Toledo Speedway.
It was pretty neat to see that the racers pulled their cars near the stands and let the fans get autographs.
The youngest co-worker was thrilled to be having soda and candy....he loves sugar and his boss does her best to set limits on that stuff!

I felt a bit stupid because I had to ask the man in front of me if the car races were real or if they were like big time wrestling.  What planet am I from?  I do know about the Daytona 500 and the Grand Prix....but who knew there were people who race cars locally?  Please forgive my ignorance!

 You are looking at a photo of men following one another around in circles....yes....spending money on gas to drive in circles....not to fabric stores....but in circles following one another and going nowhere!
When they were finished and got their trophy they then did it again....this time with boats in tow.  REALLY?  I could not make this up....I'm not that creative....giggles.
It gets a wee bit more interesting when they then drive in a figure 8 in a bus....until each one is smashed to smithereens and can no longer run. 

IHAN logic says that if their was thread involved somehow it would have been much more exciting!  They could have at least tied some thread or yarn to their bumpers to they could have had bobbins or spindles wound when they were finished....but NO!  I think they need me to give them some help with their entertainment don't you?  (ROFL)

I better show you a quilt before you leave and never come back :)
Forgive the quality of the photo...but this a lovely lavender brushed cotton with hand embroidery and hand quilting.

I'd like to tell you that I made this lovely quilt....but that would be a lie.  I purchased it at an estate sale last Friday and I paid $55.  I could not buy the fabric and thread for that price.  I also purchased a beautiful quilt with churn-dash quilt made with feed sacks....I'll have to take a pix of that one to show you. Now....that is something I can get excited about and perhaps run in circles....but pay for gas to drive in a circle....not me....still giggling at my narrow life.

Between thread, fabric and sewing....life does happen here at IHAN headquarters.  While sitting at Max and Ermas having dinner one evening, Aaron looks at me and asks me, "Momma, why do they call these napkins....we don't take naps on them?  We should call them lapkins because they sit on your lap."  I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree....still laughing.
One of my girlfriends lost her husband so I ran home for the funeral this past weekend.  PA is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my life.....it was overcast and ye the sky and mountains were still just as beautiful.
After the funeral, we gathered at their home and our group put on a lovely lunch.  You know I loved pulling into her driveway....there was a barn and a barn quilt....my idea of  home!
Another quilt!  Hooray :)  This is Eleanor's tie quilt....it isn't quite finished but I just had to take a pix.
Appliqued silk ties one silk dupioni.  I now know what I want to do with some of my father's ties.

My spirits have been lifted by my quilting friends yet again.....stitching friends have kept me from falling apart....I guess they just know what they are doing!

Smiles,
Kelly

Oops...I left off a photo....the co-workers last day of school is today....it is officially summer here in Ohio.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Looking for a Sign

Have you ever "looked for a sign?"  Sometimes seeing "the sign" helps. 

Life seems insane of late and I know I have it within my power to change the course of my current experiences....so why am I still running around like a chicken with my head cut off and choosing insanity instead of sanity? 

Perhaps it was all the excitement of two of our daughters arriving on Tuesday.  Could it have been wrapping all those orders in order to get them to people in time for their holiday.   Maybe it was helping my Mother move from her house of 40 years to a seniors apartment this week.  Do you think it could have been preparing all those teacher gifts and cookies for the boy's school Christmas party?  Well, then again, it could be all the dishes and laundry...and did I mention picking up after 6 people.  I guess it could have been any one of these things that has sent me off the deep end...LOL.

Self Portrait

I need to be reminded to slow down and breathe.  Have you ever gotten yourself into a tailspin and needed to remind yourself to wipe that crazed cat look off of your face?  ROFL

Taking time to slow down and enjoy the process of making 160 chocolate chip cookies.
 Enjoying the scent of fresh made chocolate chip cookies.....ahhh...that would have been nice.

And then there were those Oreo Truffles....they should be called "Dangerous Truffles!"

Krista, our oldest daughter, taught us about Oreo Truffles.  

You take 39 Oreo's and put them in the food processor and turn them into a very fine powder.  Add one 8 oz package of cream cheese and combine.  Then you make small balls and put them in the freezer or outdoors if it is cold where you live.  We put ours on the back porch.  Melt some mild chocolate on the stove and when the truffle balls are hardened, dip them into the chocolate and place them on wax paper and take them back outside to harden.  There is no recommended dosage so prepare yourself :)

The rest of the evening I'm going to focus on "being" and not doing....after all I am a human being,  not a human doing.  Why is it that I get confused so frequently?

Smiles,
Kelly

Monday, September 24, 2012

Back in "Business" and a Vikki Pignatelli Show/Class

I don't know if it is too soon to say, but I think I might be back in business. What business you ask?  The business of being Kelly Jackson.  I finally got some hormones from the Doc. and believe it or not.....I am actually having thoughts that I recognize.  Amazing!!!

This past Saturday night, Zach was determined that we were going to make some pom pom monsters.
He built the eyes out of my button stash and we made a two color pom pom....he is in absolute love with his new monster...and quite proud to be showing it off too.

You know I was absolutely thrilled to win these Kona's from Quilting With Debbi.  Thanks Debbie...you know I'll put these to good use ...I promise!


COME PLAY WITH US!!!

Isn't it time you "Nurture Your Creative Spirit?"  That's just what those of us who belong to the Black Swamp Quilt Guild will be doing on Friday, October 12, 2012. And we want to invite you and your friends to come too!



If you are local....or within a few hour drive...why don't you come and join us?  I would love to see you and yes....you can stay with the IHAN® clan if you don't like to drive at night.  We have room for a few folks.

On Friday Evening , Oct. 12th at 7 PM,  Vikki Pignatelli  will be lecturing and presenting a trunk show entitled, "Nurturing Your Creative Spirit: Personal Traits That Inspire Great Quilts.”   Tickets are only $10 and of course we'll have some fun refreshments too.  The meeting is at the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut Avenue, Bowling Green, OH.  Please come....we'd love to have you.

AND

If I'm not mistaken I think there are even 2 spots left for Vikki's class the following morning. She is teaching "Crazy About Curves: The Basics" at the First Cristian Church ( 875 Haskins Road, Bowling Green Ohio 43402).    Waldo and I will be there along with several of my other BSQG friends.  We are going to have some fun so if you can make the class or want more information please e-mail Dale Burnett at
daleburnett44@msn dot com.  The tickets are $65 and Dale will tell you what you need to bring.

Please let me know if you plan to come because I'd love to say Hi and pass around a few hugs too.

Smiles,
Kelly


Friday, September 7, 2012

A Few Things

I just signed up for a Link to Karen at Sew Many Ways Find A Friend Link.    After I clicked on a generic photo I realized....I do have a photo...AND I didn't sign up for any other reason than to meet new people and potentially make new friends.  I, Kelly....am a person and not just a business owner...and  I hope all of you know that I am a person first, and love meeting new people and making friends.  (How sad is that?  A person would worry that others would think of it as a "marketing ploy" but those of you who know me...know I love making friends and value them far more than any "business endeavor."

Another thing I want to clarify....I get a lot of e-mails from people thinking I own the Flamingos.  The Flamingos belong to a couple that live in a house that I pass on my way to town.

Lastly, I'd like to thank all of you who have read my blog disclaimer that reads:

IHAN Blog Disclaimer :)

I work alone and until Oprah or Gail loan me some of their staff, I'm the only editor there is. I write all of the posts and because they are my words, I don't see most of the mistakes. I do use spell check but often times those mistakes are not caught. So if you find mistakes that are blatant....like dates or something that is not clear....feel free to e-mail me, IHaveANotion@yahoo.com, and let me know. The rest is minor and just pretend you don't see it. I'll be sure to return the favor :)
Why do I thank you?  Because my last blog post actually read, "I"ve Addopted a Little/Big Girl :)"
 I was at an appointment for my son when I wrote the post...and I hit publish before I ever read the post...much less the title.

I feel very loved..THANK YOU to everyone who noticed my error and didn't mention it.  I promise I"ll return the favor should it ever be you in my shoes.
 
 
Bigger Smiles,
Kelly




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